OC Report: 12 GB of Mushkin memory (PC6400 XP2 / PC8000 Redline / PC6400 EM2)

It's high time to publish some memory reviews so let's start :)

This review contains three sets o Mushkin memory. One mainstream (Mushkin EM2 PC6400 5-5-5-12 2x2 GB) and two models of highend (Mushkin XP2 PC6400 4-4-4-12 2x2 GB & Mushkin Redline PC8000 5-5-5-15 2x2 GB). These kits are from new supply in Europe and are retail samples, no handpicking!

Some photos:

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2639.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2640.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2641.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2644.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2645.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2646.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2647.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2650.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2651.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2652.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2655.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2657.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2658.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2659.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2660.JPG

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...2/IMG_2661.JPG

As you see on EM2 model I wasn't too careful and I void my warranty :shrug: What is strange, not on all Mushkin samples are those warranty traps, even from the same supply (or, thinking in other order, they don't work well :ROTF:). All models are based on Powerchip (PSC) chips, which are very common nowadays. They are good clockers, reliable and quiet cheap (especially contra Microns ICs). Every part is based on different stepping.

From my experience (but there is no rule actually, please study results of Mushkin :) ), (and please, trust me, I had lots of memory in my hands :up: ), ICs starting from "x" are the best. They prefer lower vdimm and clocks very high. Next are "r", which are in the middle of this branch. They like high voltages (up to 2.35v, they even boot on 2.4v, when "x" or "t" series stop booting at all). And the last one which I possessed ever (mind 2x2 GB sets) where "t" and they clocked acceptably and prefer low vdimm (about 2.15v). But today, I hadn't any "t" series in da house.

Testing bench:

E8200 Q808A314
Asus Blitz Formula (latest beta BIOS)
GeCube HD2900XT
Hitachi 500 GB SATA2
Pentagram 1050W ES
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit (to allocate whole memory)

Tests with CAS3 I skipped as minding 2x2 GB sets it is utter nonsense. CAS4 is much more common, but only XP2 (which are at default 4-4-4-12) where capable of achieving 800+ MHz DDR. Redline and EM2 series don't like CAS4 (yes, it's very common that even PC8000 set's are not capable of working on CAS4), from my experience - it's more easy to overclock memory up to 1000 MHz DDR on relaxed timings (I refer to 2x2 kits only!) than 800 MHz DDR on CL4. I had even a set of Exceleram memory, PC6400 4-4-4-12 (EX2-4800P2-SW), which don't do their stock, but achieved almost 1100 MHz 5-5-5-15 stable! Ok, I am dull now, so lets overclock something :cool:

Mushkin EM2 PC6400 5-5-5-12

5-5-5-15-55 @ 2.24v -> settings in bios

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...P2/em2@950.png

This result is not astonishing. From the beginning of 2x2 GB craziness every set of Mushkin SP2+ or EM2 did at least 1040 MHz.

It's time to overclock legend - Mushkin Redline (red devils? :rolleyes: ) legends. As we all now, Redline is the most blessing, the most high end line. They should overclock like devils. And this 2x2 Redline are very cheap!

5-5-5-15-55 @ 2.24v -> settings in bios

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...dline@1040.png

1040 MHz... it's not bad but not good. I used to know, that when I push Redline PC8000 2x2 GB in my computer I shall get at least 1066 MHz DDR. I was a bit disappointed.

The last battle against the beast.

Mushkin XP2 PC6400 4-4-4-12 (white)

5-5-5-15-55 @ 2.32v -> settings in bios

http://www.techworks.pl/xtreme/OC/Mu...002x2@1120.png

Yes! That's what I wanted to see. Really good overclocking from 2x2 set by Mushkin. But it was strange to me that XP2 are better than Redline. I turned with this to Mushkin and I was told that it's the fact that Redline are worse now but they are relatively very cheap, much cheaper than XP2 series.

Sum up,

Overclocking 2x2 GB is not so easy as 2x1 GB, the most important thing is motherboard. DFI LP P35 UT is very good, but in my opinion Asus Blitz Formula is better. DFI Blood Iron stopped overclocking beyond 1066 MHz DDR. MSI P35 Neo2 has limit at about 1100 MHz DDR. Very good are also Gigabyte P35 series, I achieved 1130 MHz DDR on good old Mushkin Redline PC8000 2x2 ;)
Memory now is extremely cheap and that's the reason RAM memory overclocks worse and worse (manufactures are saving as much as they could). But a bit more expensive memory is still very good for us - overclockers. And I must say, that this Mushkin XP2 PC6400 set is very nice, in overclocking and is also good looking. Those white heatsinks makes my eye feels better :up:

I hope you enjoyed :cool:

By the way,

Don't think that only Mushkin lowered their overclocking potencial in budget series, all brands did a step "back", especially, concerning new PC8500 & PC9200 models, which are very slowly and carefully handpicked from our cheap stuff :D

Really nice write up :up:

Im begining to think now that overclocking ram is limited to the motherboard, as my last 3 sets of ram have all maxed out at 1110 Mhz on my MSI P35 Neo 2. I used to think it was the ram that stops overclocking at that point, but you also get the same maximum with different ram on the Neo 2.

No doubt it is still the best board for the money currently available though.

From my experience so far I think that Asus Blitz Formula or Asus P5E/Maximus Formula/Rampage series are the best for overclocking 2x2. Maybe some Gigabyte X48 stuff.

very nice roundup man! :toast:
very honest and straight to the point, very good work! :)

Some EM2 tested here were up to 1040 like Redline, so i guess
EM2 is a bit of luck. Also Redline same results here and XP same with Redline,
so a bit of luck also there.

Good post my friend!

I am glad you all like this review :)

We have to remember that every stepping is different, I posted results of the newest supply in Germany/Poland :) And all Mushkin memory is different in USA/Europe/Asia as it depends from factory.

very nice review.. Blitz Formula does handle 2x2GB very well indeed from what I'm testing on several 2x2GB modules :)

Good report! :up:

Fantastic!
Absolutely love the great pics.
:up:

Love seeing the info on the ICs as well, especially your insight on which of the PSC ICs clocks better, etc.

My two XP2-6400 kits are black.
The worst dimm of the four does DDR2-1080, best did DDR2-1125.

Man I love Mushkins heat covers.

I had the white also here to test it, but only on an matx board. But they are great. They run with 500Mhz @ 5-5-5-15 @ 1,9V. Another 4Gb Kit of Mushkin needs 2,1V for this frequency.

http://www.abload.de/thumb/mushkin500mhz19v9u6.jpg http://www.abload.de/thumb/cellshock520mhz225v2z8a.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/img_2858hell2hsr.jpg

i just got my set of redline 8000
quick test 100% stable 2.1v need more time to tweek

What are peoples opinions on the new ascent range? I assume they are the same chips just different heatspreader. Also are the redlines suppose to clock further or just run w/ tighter timings? I'm looking at either the following kits any help would be appreciated. I basically want a kit that will do 1100MHz comfortably, maybe a tad higher.

Mushkin Redline Ascent XP2-8000 4Gb (2x2)
Mushkin Ascent XP2-8500 (2x2)
Corsair Dominator 4Gb DDR2-8500 (2x2)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NIZ

What are peoples opinions on the new ascent range? I assume they are the same chips just different heatspreader. Also are the redlines suppose to clock further or just run w/ tighter timings? I'm looking at either the following kits any help would be appreciated. I basically want a kit that will do 1100MHz comfortably, maybe a tad higher.

Mushkin Redline Ascent XP2-8000 4Gb (2x2)
Mushkin Ascent XP2-8500 (2x2)
Corsair Dominator 4Gb DDR2-8500 (2x2)

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take whats cheaper the dominators are a good choice 109$ with fan @ newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145197

if you want garanteed 1100+ gskill came out with pc2-8800 kit

Nice results, surprises me as the Redline goes worse.

Buying good RAM in Brazil is a bit difficult, and I'm a bit confused on what to get.
Currently have 2x1GB Crucial Ballistix Tracer PC8500, double sided. Amazing memory, @1066 5-5-5-15 w/ 1.95V , possibly will go further
But I need +2GB as I want to use Vista, Vista for gaming with 2GB is somewhat disappointing at times.

I found some mushkin, same model as the first kit in the picture, good bet?
mushkin 2x2GB 996580 DDR2-800 CAS 4-4-4-12 2.0V-2.1V = $181.00
AFAIK those have black heatspreaders.

Other options...
G.SKILL 2x2GB F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ DDR2-800 CAS 5-5-5-15 1.8V-1.9V = $151.00
A-DATA 2x2GB ADQVD1B16K DDR2-800 CAS 4-4-4-12 2.0V-2.1V = $170.00

I also wanted something that reached 1000-1100MHz, that would be enough. Don't mind about CAS4, CAS5 is enough for me.
Good overclocking RAM avaiability is somewhat difficult down here as everything comes through import from USA, but some other options may show up in the following days/weeks.